Defense News

AI FlightSim Defense Policy Airbus

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Airbus injects synthetic aircraft into German Air Force data-link exercise

Airbus’s System Development Lab generated virtual allies and threats inside Timber Express, the German Air Force’s annual data-link exercise. The demonstration shows how synthetic aircraft can be introduced into live military training environments to expand scenarios and test networked operations without requiring additional physical platforms.

1 Source

2026-08-18T06:20:32.873596-07:00

eVTOL UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

NEW

AeroTime • Miquel Ros

REGENT’s Squire seaglider completes wing-in-ground exercise with US military

By AeroTime: REGENT has showcased Squire, its wing-in-ground autonomous seaglider during an exercise with the US military.

1 Source

2026-08-18T07:05:13.622757-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Air Force Wants Family Of Expendable Target Drones That Can Mimic Everything From Stealth Fighters To UAV Swarms

By The War Zone: With rapidly evolving threats around the globe, the USAF's target drones need to start making leaps to catch up and a new family of systems is wanted to this.

1 Source

2026-08-18T05:28:11.299461-07:00

Israel Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Associated Press • Leer En Español

Israeli strikes hit an air base in northwest Syria, but no casualties are reported

By Associated Press: Israeli airstrikes on an air base in northwest Syria caused material damage but no casualties, according to Syrian state TV and the Foreign Ministry.

Reuters

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, US envoy concerned over escalation

ANI News Agency

Syria accuses Israel of airstrikes on military airbase in Idlib; condemns "repeated violations of sovereignty"

Also: The Independent, NBC News and 3 more

8 Sources

2026-08-18T02:35:15.806844-07:00

Space Force Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

New report takes closer look at the Space Force spending surge

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — A new analysis of the Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 defense budget finds that the proposed surge in Space Force spending is concentrated in missions like moving-target tracking, missile warning, command and control and classified programs.

1 Source

2026-08-18T05:10:40.608928-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Deals

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

New image adds to claims of Uzbek J-10CE order, but questions remain

By Air Data News: The photograph shows what appears to be a J-10C/CE during a flight with its landing gear extended. More interestingly, areas where identifying markings would normally be visible appear to have been covered, particularly on the vertical stabilizer.

1 Source

2026-08-18T04:35:11.817227-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The Hill • Filip Timotija

Trump’s Aircraft Carrier Design Demands Could Delay U.S. Navy Procurement

By The Hill: President Trump is pushing for major design changes to U.S. aircraft carriers, including returning to steam catapults and moving the island.

1 Source

2026-08-18T03:06:07.860350-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs General Atomics North America Military Aircraft Procurement Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

2026-08-17T22:50:07.512691-07:00

Airbus injects synthetic aircraft into German Air Force data-link exercise

REGENT’s Squire seaglider completes wing-in-ground exercise with US military

Air Force Wants Family Of Expendable Target Drones That Can Mimic Everything From Stealth Fighters To UAV Swarms

Israeli strikes hit an air base in northwest Syria, but no casualties are reported

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, US envoy concerned over escalation

Syria accuses Israel of airstrikes on military airbase in Idlib; condemns "repeated violations of sovereignty"

New report takes closer look at the Space Force spending surge

New image adds to claims of Uzbek J-10CE order, but questions remain

Trump’s Aircraft Carrier Design Demands Could Delay U.S. Navy Procurement

India Leases Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs From General Atomics

US and Mexico sign declaration of intent for UAS and C-UAS to fight organised crime

India Signs Contract With US’ General Atomics For 2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian On Lease For Navy

REGENT’s Squire seaglider completes wing-in-ground exercise with US military

Airbus puts synthetic aircraft into live German Air Force exercise

Air Force Wants Family Of Expendable Target Drones That Can Mimic Everything From Stealth Fighters To UAV Swarms

New report takes closer look at the Space Force spending surge

Israeli strikes hit an air base in northwest Syria, but no casualties are reported

New image adds to claims of Uzbek J-10CE order, but questions remain

Japan Agrees to Test Hypersonics, Other Missiles in Australia

USS George Washington to Relieve Abraham Lincoln in Middle East, Leaving No U.S. Carriers in Pacific

Russia Is Expanding Its Long-Range Strike Drone Network

US Air Force looks to acquire target drones that can mimic stealth jets

L3Harris ousts CEO Christopher Kubasik after conduct investigation, names space chief Sam Mehta successor

Spanish F-18 shoots down drone over Romania after entry from Moldova

France keeps EMALS for future carrier as Trump orders U.S. Navy back to steam catapults

Reliance and Rolls-Royce join India’s bid for an indigenous AMCA fighter engine

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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